Niagara Falls—For the Perennial Tourist

Most (likely all) Americans are familiar with Niagara Falls—a series of three waterfalls situated on the boarder between Canada’s Ontario and America’s New York. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls I known as Horseshoe Falls, and it offers some of the best views and the most attractions. The surrounding area is teeming with tourist life, full of observation towers, restaurants, souvenir shops, casinos, and several high-rise hotels.

In recent decades, Niagara Falls has been known as a romantic spot, a cheesy location, and a tourist trap. Now, the area is a felicitous combination of the three—in addition to stunning views of the natural landscape, there are several wineries, distilleries, a botanical garden, and a slew of quickie, pop-up wedding chapels and hotels. In becoming a tacky destination, the Canadian section of Niagara Falls has itself become an interesting piece of tourism and history.

With water speeds of up to 68mph, the sound of the falls can be heard for miles around. Whether you want to experience a typical family vacation, a romantic honeymoon, or an ethnographic study of American/Canadian tourism, this is a wonderful place to visit.